A First Nations touch to the Canada Place Convention Centre

Not only does Vancouver have a brand new Convention Centre, the Canada Place convention centre next door hs reopened afer being refurbished and ready to welcome the hordes of media and guests who will use the venue as a base during the 2010 Olympics.

The expanded Centre boasts a new 90 meter Harbour Concourse linking the Centres east and west buildings below street level at Canada Place, giving the centre the capacity to host everything from small receptions on the concourse to multiple conventions, concerts and international sporting events.

The new concourse and a Coast Salsih Gallery featuring a collection of gorgeous art works by Coast Salish artists, were opened last week with Premier Gordon Campell on hand.  A beautiful granite floor osaic entitled “Moon Journey” by artist Susan Point, was also unveiled in the lobby of the renovated east building.

The west building, which cost $883 million opened last April.  It boasts envirnomental features including the largest living roof in Canada, a marine habitat, water recycliing and the use of natural light and ventilation throughout.  This centre will be used this Fall as the international media and broadcast centre for the Winter Games.